Salutes & Awards

Cody named next Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III has named Chief Master Sgt. James A. Cody to serve as the 17th chief master sergeant of the Air Force.

Cody will assume his new position on Feb. 1, following the Jan. 31 retirement of current Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy. Roy’s retirement will culminate more than 30 years of service to the Air Force.

“Chief Roy and his wife, Paula, have been a blessing for our Air Force. They have worked tirelessly for the past three-plus years as phenomenal advocates for our Airmen and families. Betty and I wish them all the best as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives,” Welsh said.

“The quality and professionalism of our enlisted force is unrivaled due in great part to the remarkable commitment and dedication of Chief Roy and Paula to take care of Airmen and their families,” said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. “The Air Force must continue to develop the quality Airmen the service needs and we look forward to the experience that Chief Cody and his wife, Athena, herself a retired chief master sergeant, will bring to this effort.”

Cody, who joined the Air Force in 1984, is currently the command chief master sergeant for Air Education and Training Command. His career includes various assignments in air traffic control and as the command chief master sergeant, 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, Travis Air Force Base, Calif.; 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; and 18th Air Force, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

“We are excited to welcome Chief Cody and Athena to the team as they take the baton from the Roys,” Welsh said. “The next few years will be filled with many opportunities and challenges and our Air Force will greatly benefit from the leadership, experience and wisdom they bring.”

“Chief Cody will do a fantastic job of representing the enlisted force,” said Roy. “I have every confidence that he and Athena are prepared to handle the challenges that face our Airmen and their families in the years to come.”

The office of the chief master sergeant of the Air Force represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests to the American public and all levels of government. The CMSAF serves as a personal advisor to the Air Force Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, proper utilization, and progress of the enlisted force and their families.

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